Summary
Final Fantasy 16is a return to form for the singleplayer-centric games, and one that wields a story and characters that can stand alongside the series' best.Final Fantasy 15was divisive,14was online, and13(including its direct sequels) left fans eager for something new. Clive’s quest spawns from personal heartbreak, andhis place in the world of Valistheabecomes clearer with each main quest conquered. He, along with Jill, look to make their mark on the setting, all while political tensions overflow into all-out war.
The characters at the center ofFinal Fantasy 16are the reason why it all comes together in such a satisfying way. Clive spends much of the game searching for both answers and redemption, Jill is a stalwart friend with her own immense demons she has to overcome, and Torgal even has nuances so that he isn’t just a loyal and adorable friend to Clive. Even the side characters and antagonists are tremendously memorable, but Cid shines brightest, being a guiding light for the party and a trusted confidant until the end. However, his wonderful development could be hard for Square Enix to live up to with future adventures.
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Cid Has a History in Final Fantasy
LikeBiggs and Wedge, almost allFinal Fantasygames have included a Cid, in some variety. While Cid is usually an innovator of some sort like an engineer or inventor, there are no real pre-set rules, and anyone can take on the name (much like Clive does inFinal Fantasy 16). Cid’s inclusion in otherFinal Fantasynarratives is never anything more than as a side character or window dressing for the world-building.
Cid inFinal Fantasy 16is anything but forgettable, being essential to the first dozen hours, and his presence is felt all through the story. It’s the biggest role a Cid has ever taken, which begs the question of why he was given that name, especially as he doesn’t really exhibit the typical qualities of the characters that preceded him. It surely would have made more sense to have him take on a new name and reserve ‘Cid’ for someone like Blackthorne or Goetz, two characters who are enjoyable but not essential to the heart and soul of the main campaign, and each are known for working with their hands.
Final Fantasy’s Cid is a Highlight
ThoughFinal Fantasy 16starts out tremendously strong, it doesn’t truly get into the swing of things until the game’s first major time skip. Once Clive is older and more damaged, the story starts to find a balance, which is around the same time he’s introduced to Cid. A dashing, sarcastic, but good-hearted folk hero, Cid is instantly likable and does well to shepherd Clive along a positive path rather than one that leads to self-destruction. The protagonist follows Cid on his quest to destroy the mother crystals, thus giving Clive and Jill purpose, and along the way more is shown about who he is, and why he wants to make such a positive change. He’sthe dominant of Ramuh, and a disruptor to the status quo, so his fate is all the more engaging because he’s very easy to root for.
However, while this is a huge benefit to the story, it also presents a problem forFinal Fantasyat-large. ‘Cid’ was always a name used for a somewhat fleeting side character, who is usually enjoyable, but largely inconsequential. InFinal Fantasy 16, Cid is the game’s emotional linchpin, and essential to Clive’s personal and literal journey.Cid’s greatness in the 2023 gamemeans the name surely can’t be used for anything other than a major supporting character in the future, because any insignificant uses of the name will only remind fans of the character in the sixteenth mainline outing. It’s a tradition that goes back decades, but his depiction this time around means subsequent titles will have to find a way around the problem.
Final Fantasy 16is available now on PS5. A PC version is currently in development.
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